Method, apparatus and universal container for natural carbonation of beverages

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and universal container for natural carbonation of beverages, which will be used in the food industry, in particular in the production of beer, sparkling wines and carbonated fruit drinks. The method of naturally occurring carbonation of beverages involves the operations of feeding with fermenting substrate, adding water, adding yeast, fermenting the resulting liquid mixture. The fermentation is carried out in a specialized container at an optimum temperature of 8° C. to 23° C., depending on the yeast species. The fermentation process lasts for 3 to 4 days and is accompanied by an increase in container pressure to 2 bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for natural carbonation of beverages comprising the operations:
 feeding with substrate for fermentation, 
 addition of water, 
 addition of yeast, 
 fermentation of a resulting liquid mixture, characterized in that the fermentation is carried out in a container equipped with a membrane expansion container at an optimum temperature of 8° C. to 23° C. depending on the type of yeast, wherein the fermentation process lasts 3-4 days, accompanied by an increase in container pressure to 2 bar; wherein the method also includes 
 cooling the fermented liquid mixture from 23° C. to at least between 12° C.-0° C.; 
 saturation of the fermented liquid mixture with fermentation carbon dioxide. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus for naturally carbonated beverages for natural carbonation of beverages, comprising:
 a container having a cylindrical body with a conical portion at one end, the container being provided with temperature and pressure sensors, wherein the container is placed in a refrigeration chamber provided with a double bottom in which a refrigeration unit is provided, wherein the conical part of the container is formed as a truncated cone in whose small base the opening of the container is made, which opening is closed by a lid, the temperature sensor being located in the lower part of the cylindrical body and the pressure gauge comprising a manometer and operating valve are located on the conical part of the container, on which a safety valve and a gas orifice are located, and a nozzle for liquids and a drain tap for a finished beverage are mounted in the lower part of the cylindrical body of the container. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the container is made of acid and alkali-resistant steel. 
     
     
       4. A container for naturally carbonated beverages mounted on a stand, container comprising:
 a cylindrical body and a conical portion at one end, the container being provided with an insulating jacket and a temperature maintaining system as well as temperature sensor, pressure gauge and level meter, wherein the conical part is formed as a truncated cone, the small base of which is the opening of the container, which opening is closed by a lid provided with a spring-closing mechanism, wherein the temperature maintaining system comprising an unit located below the bottom of the container and a coil surrounding the cylindrical body above its bottom and disposed under the insulating jacket, the temperature sensor and the level meter being located at the lower part of the cylindrical body, and the pressure gauge being a manometer is connected to an operating valve which is located on the cone portion of the container, on which a safety valve is provided, wherein in the lower part of the cylindrical body a wash tap and a drain tap are installed and in the space below the bottom of the cylindrical body there is an expansion container with a membrane connected by means of a nozzle or flange with openings to one end of a tube whose other end is located in the conical part of the container to make the connection between the two containers and ensuring the circulation of a carbon dioxide released during a fermentation process. 
 
     
     
       5. A container for naturally carbonated beverages for mounted on a stand container comprising:
 a cylindrical body and a conical portion at one end, the container being provided with an insulating jacket and a temperature maintaining system as well as temperature sensor, pressure gauge and level meter, characterized in that the temperature maintaining system comprises a unit located below the bottom of the container and a coil surrounding the cylindrical body above its bottom, wherein the temperature sensor and the level meter are located in the lower part of the cylindrical body, and the pressure gauge, which is a manometer is connected to operating valve which is located on the conical part of the container, on which a safety valve is also provided, the lower part of the cylindrical body is fitted with a wash tap and a drain tap of a finished beverage, and the conical part of the container is formed as a truncated cone whose small base is connected by means of a flange with holes to an expansion container with a membrane expansion container, the expansion container being provided with a membrane insulating jacket, and the conical portion of the container has an opening, closed by a lid equipped with spring-loaded closing mechanism. 
 
     
     
       6. The universal container according to  claim 5 , wherein the bottom of the container can also be of a conical shape. 
     
     
       7. The container according to  claim 5 , wherein the level meter is located on a window formed on the cylindrical body. 
     
     
       8. The container according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid is also provided with an insulating jacket. 
     
     
       9. The container according to  claim 5 , wherein the container is made of acid and alkali resistant steel and the membrane is made of ethylene propylene rubber. 
     
     
       10. The container according to  claim 5 , wherein the ratio of the container diameter to its height is from 1:0.3 to 1:1.99.